Resistance in Killarney

The imposition of colonial regulation created a unique situation around the small Métis village at Killarney, where Métis fought to enforce these regulations against threats posed by wasteful settlers to local fishers. As new responsibilities were placed on lighthouse keepers, the Department of Marine and Fisheries sought to strengthen enforcement by requiring reports of violations of fishery laws. 

When Killarney’s Métis lighthouse keeper, P. R. de Lamorandiere, documented illegal and wasteful practices carried out by settler fishermen, activities that threatened fish populations and would disrupt Métis and Anishinabek livelihoods, he faced intense retaliation and harassment for taking principled action to protect both his family and his way of life.

“[I am] almost discouraged for the losses I have sustained during the summer through Vengeance against me by the fishermen…I have also lost all my good friends… the feeling of the fishermen and fish dealers is so strong against me that we are always uneasy…”

Despite the threat of violence, social isolation, and the loss of security for his family, P. R. de Lamorandiere chose to stand his ground through resistance, demonstrating that Métis resilience was rooted not only in survival but in unwavering courage.

See Our Sources

• Dancing with Underwear: Charivari, Community and Identity in Nineteenth-Century Killarney, Ontario

• Letter from P. R. deLamorandiere to Deputy Minister of Marine and Fisheries, 27 December 1893

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